§ Mr. CollinsTo ask the Prime Minister how many appointments to public bodies he has made(a) between 1 May 1997 and 7 June 2001 and (b) since 7 June 2001; and how many are in his gift. [15478]
§ The Prime MinisterInformation about numbers of ministerial appointments to public bodies is included in the Cabinet Office's annual report, "Public Bodies". Copies of this are in the Library of the House and the report is published on the Cabinet Office's internet website. The next edition of "Public Bodies" which will include numbers of appointments at 31 March 2001, will be published around the end of the year.
Between 1 May 1997 and 7 June 2001 I made 249 appointments, including re-appointments, to public bodies. Since 7 June 2001 I have made 12 appointments, including re-appointments, to public bodies.
341WThere are approximately 315 appointments within the Prime Minister's gift to public bodies.